Gun game



July l, 1941-. l J. F. EAKlNs 2,247,751

GUN GAME Filed Dec. 30, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented July 1, 1941 unirse srsras Param orsi-ca GUN GAME John F. Eakins, Evanston, Ill., assigner to Albert G. McCaleb, Evanston, Ill.

Application December 30, 1936, Serial No. 118,211

(CI.V 27g-101.1)

2 Ciaims.

This invention relates to a gun game apparatus of the type in which a ash of light is directed by a gun to a target associated with a photoelectric cell which, when energized by a correctly aimed flash, actuates indicating devices which indicate the efficiency of the marksman.

In accordance with the present invention I provide an improved game of this type in which a plurality of targets are energized continuously in sequence, the energization being arranged in an irregular order so that the marksman is always required to shoot at a target which is presented unexpectedly. Each target is energized fork a limited time only so that the conditions of real sport are duplicatedV to a considerable extent. The energization of a target is indicated by the illumination of a lamp associated therewith. Each target has a photoelectric cell which is operatively connected to the remaining apparatus only when the circuit of its associated lamp is completed. Y

'Ihe game apparatus comprises sound means responsive to a successful shot, visual means for indicating the `number of successful shots and-other features which will hereinafter be Vfully described with reference to the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view and wiring diagram;

Fig. 3 isa sectional detail View showing the switch drum construction, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4; I

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail View, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. -3; Y

Fig. 5 is an yexpanded view of the periphery of the switch drum on a smaller scale, and

showing the game Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan View of the coin e slide.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral I designates a cabinet located at the butt of the range. This cabinet serves as a support for the gun II when the same is notv in use. The gun is secured to the cabinet IU by means of a cable I2, which includes a plurality of conductors which will hereinafter be described. Upon the cabinet I0 is a coin slide I3 of known type. tion is inserted by means of the coin slide I3, the apparatus is freed to the extent of a certain number of shots. In the present embodiment of the invention there are five targets I4 and ve shots are permitted for each coin. It will 'be un- When a coin of the appropriate denominal derstood, however, that this precise number of targets or shotsis quite arbitrary and that the apparatus may be designed for any desired number, either of targets or of shots permitted for the payment of one coin.

The targets I4 may be formed to simulate iiying ducks, or any other appropriate form of target may be employed. The targets I 4 may suitably be transparent figures arranged upon a black background on a sheet of glass I5. 'Ihe sheet of glass I5 may suitably form the frontwall of a box-like frame I5 which may, for example,v be supported on a wall. Within the box-like frame I6 are provided housings I1, one for each of the targets I4. Each housing I1 includes an incandescent `lamp I 8 and a photoelectric cell I9. The photoelectric cell I9 is enclosed within ahousing 20 so that it is not illuminated by the lamp I 8.

'I'he housing 20 comprises a forwardly projecting tubular portion 2I which is directed outwardly towards the target I5. When the lamp I8 of a target vis illuminated, the whole target is seen as a bright object with the exception of a portion corresponding to the tube 2|, which is dark and serves as the object to be aimed at. Also contained within the box-like frame is a sound producing device 22 of the generalA` form of a bellows, provided with a reed structure 23 which is caused to emit a sound when the bellows is contracted. The bellows is adapted 4to be contracted by the movement of an armature 24 into a solenoid 25 when that solenoid is energized. The bellows 22 may include a spring 26 which tends to return the bellows to initial position when the solenoid 25 is no longer energized.

The gun II comprises a. barrel 21 through which light is adapted to be projected from an incandescent lamp 23 located within the gun. A lens 29 may be located in the barrel 2'1v so as to concentrate the beam of light into small compass. The trigger 3i)y controls a switch 3I of any suitable type which is adapted to open auotmatically almost immediately after it. is closed by the trigger 30. The switch 3| and lamp 28 are in series vand are provided with leads 32 and 33 which are located within the cable I2. The

cabinet I9 is connected to the box-like frame I6 by means of a cable 3l!y and electric energy may be supplied to the cabinet I0 by means of leads 35 and 3 from anyrsuitable source.

The remainder of the apparatus is located within the cabinet I0. Thus, aswitch drum 3'I is rotatably mounted within the cabinet I 0. This drum may be of any suitable construction, but it is preferred to construct it asshown in Figs. 3

and 4. As shown in these figures, the drum comprises a peripheral member 3B upon which is carried a cylinder of insulation 39. A metal sleeve or cylinder 45 is mounted over the cylinder 39 and a cylinder 4I of insulation is mounted over the metal cylinder 45. Five series of contacts 42 are mounted on the cylinders 4| so that they lie substantially flush therewith. The contacts 42 may preferably be integral with the metal cylinder 45 and may be formed from portions which are out out of the cylinder 4B and are bent as shown in Fig. 3.

The cylinder 4l is provided with openings through which the contacts 42 pass. The contacts 42 are arranged in live circumferential series and they are staggered in such a way that their succession is irregular. Thus, referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that if the contacts 42 are numbered consecutively in the downward direction, then they are presented in the circumferential direction of the drum 31 in the following order: 5, 1, 5, 4, 2, 3, 2, 4, 1, 5, 3, 4, 5, 1, 3, 2, 4, 1, 5, 3, 2, 3, 2, 4. The consecutive contacts 42 are arranged so that they do not overlap in the circumferential direction of the drum. These contacts are adapted to be engaged by ve brushes 43 the contacting portions of which are in -a line parallel to the axis of the drum. The contacts 42 are preferably of such length that there is always one of them in contact with one of the brushes 43.

I provide a drive for the drum 31 whereby it is rotated slowly all the time that the game is in operation. This means may suitably comprise an electric motor 44 which drives the drum 31 by means of a gear reduction 45.

Upon the coin slide I3 is pivotally mounted a laterally projecting dog 46 which is pressed against a stop by a coil spring 41. When the coin slide i3 is forced inwardly, the dog 45 strikes the upper end of an arm 48 pivotally mounted on a stationary pivot. A spring 49, secured to the arm 48, tends to hold the same in the position shown in Fig. 2 against a stop 55. When the coin slide I3 approaches the innermost end of its stroke, as shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 2, the dog 45 clears the arm 48 so that it may resume its normal position under the influence of the spring 49. When the coin slide i3 is then pulled outwardly again, the dog 4B slips past the end oi the arm 48. When the arm 48 is thus moved inwardly by the coin slide I3, it is brought into engagement with a lever l in such a manner that the lever 5| is displaced to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2.

The cabinet it also contains two counting devices 52 and 53. The counting device 52 is a main switch mechanism which regulates the number of shots which may be nred for each coin. t comprises a ratchet wheel 54 which is biased in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, by a spring 55, The ratchet wheel 54 rigidly carries a switch arm 55 which is adapted to cooperate with cont-acts 51 which are connected in series. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, ve shots are permitted for one coin and, consequently, there are i'lve contacts 51 corresponding to five positions of the switch arm 55.

The lever 55 carries a pawl 53 which cooperates with the ratchet wheel 54 and is adapted to prevent rotation of this ratchet wheel under the influence of the spring 55. When, however, the lever 5l is displaced by the arm 43 in the manner hereinbefore described, the pawl 58 is moved away from the ratchet wheel 54 and, conse- 'f quently, the spring 55 moves the ratchet wheel 54 and the switch arm 56 into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, at which position they are arrested by a stop 55. In this position the switch arm 55 is in engagement with the first Contact 51.

The lever 5l is held in its normal position by a spring Eil. A lever 6| is pivotally mounted adjacent the ratchet wheel 54 and carries a detent 52, The lever El is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by means of a spring 53 with the detent 52 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 54. The armature 64 of a solenoid 65 is pivotally connected to the lever 5i. Vihen the solenoid 55 is energized, the lever 5l moves downwardly and engages the ratchet wheel 54, causing it to rotate so as to move the switch arm 55 one stepthat is, from one contact 51 to the next contact. The last step moves the arm 55 away from all the contacts 51 and the circuit of the machine is broken, as will hereinafter be described.

The lever 5l is connected by a link 65 to another pivoted lever 51. This lever carries a pawl 58 which cooperates with a ratchet wheel 69 of the counting mechanism 53 in the same manner as the pawl 58 cooperates with the ratchet wheel 54. A switch arm 10 is rigidly carried by the ratchet wheel 69 and is adapted to reach an initial position determined by a stop 1I under the influence of a spring 12, when the lever 51 is moved simultaneously with the lever 5l on the insertion of a coin and the actuation of the coin slide I3. The ratchet wheel 69 is adapted to be rotated step by step in the opposite directionthat is, the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, by means of a detent 13 carried by a pivoted lever 14. The pivoted lever 14 is actuated by a solenoid 15, the armature 16 of this solenoid being pivotally connected to the lever 14. The detent 13 is normally held out of engagement with the ratchet Wheel B9 by a spring 11.

The switch arm 10 is adapted to cooperate with contacts 18v which are of the same number as the number of shots permitted by the insertion of each coin. number is five. When the lever 61 is swung in the manner described, the spring 12 throws the switch arm 10 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. When the solenoid 15 is energized, which occurs when the marksman makes a hit, the arm 10 is moved into engagement with the rst contact 18. At each successive hit the arm 10 is moved into engagement with the next Contact 13. Each of the contacts 18 is connected to a signal lamp 19, these lamps being suitably arranged on the cabinet l0 so as to indicate visually the number ci hits which have been made by the marksman. The cabinet Il! also includes an amplifier which is connected in the manner hereinafter described.

The power line 35 is connected directly to the amplifier 35 to supply energy thereto. The power line 35 is connected through electromagnets El to the lamps I3. The other terminals 0I these lamps are connected individually to the brushes 43. The power line 35 is also connected through pole 82 and pole 83 of -a double pole switch to the solenoid 25 and the solenoid 15, respectively. The other terminals of these sclenoids are connected to the power line 35. The power line 35 is connected to the switch arms 55 and 13. The contacts 51 are connected to one terminal of the motor 44 and to a brush 55' which is in continual engagement with the In this embodiment that cylinder 40 of conductive material and, consequently, with the contacts 42, one of which is always in engagement with one of the brushes 43. The contacts 51 are also connected tothe lead 32 previously referred to and to the other power terminal of the amplier 80. The power line 35 is connected to terminals of the signal lamps 19 and to one terminal of the solenoid 65.

The output of the amplier 80 is connected to an electromagnet 85 which is adapted, when energized, to move the poles 82 and 83 to closed position. One conductor 86 of the input circuit of the amplifier is connected to each of the photoelectric cells I9. The other terminals of these cells are connected through switches 81 to the other line 88 of the input circuit of the amplifier. The switches 81 are associated with the electromagnets 8|, each switch 81 being associated with the electromagnet 8| in series with the lamp I8 which is associated with the particular photoelectric cell I9 controlled by that switch 81. A time delay switch 89 is inserted in the line 32 so as to prevent operation of the gun until the tubes of the amplifier have warmed up to operating temperature.

The operation is as follows. Initially, the position of the main switch arm` 56 is that shown in Fig. 2. The switch arm 10 is normally found in a position indicating the score of the last player. Thus, it is shown in a position which completes the circuit through the third lamp 19, indicating the previous marksman has made three hits. The circuit is completed from power line 36, switch arm 10, third contact 18, third lamp 19 and power line 35. To free the apparatus for shooting it is necessary to insert a coin in the coin slide I3 and to push the coin slide inwardly into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. In so doing the upper end `of the arm 48 is pushed to the right, as viewed in that gu re, and it is released so that it returns to its initial position under the inuence of the spring The movement of the arm 48 displaces the lever 5I, with the result that the pawls 58 and 68 are withdrawn from their ratchet wheels and these wheels rotate under the influence of their springs so as to bring the switch arm 56 into engagement with the rst of the contacts 51 and the switch arm 10 out of engagement with all the contacts 18. The particular lamp 19 which was illuminated now goes out and the main switch constituted by the switch arm 56 completes a circuit through the particular lamp I8 associated with the brush 43 which is in engagement with one of the contacts 42. The completion of the energization of this lamp circuit energizes the associated electromagnet 8| and closes the switch 81 which connects the photoelectric cell I9 associated with that particular lamp I8 to the amplifier 80. When the main switch arm 56 closes the main circuit, the power circuit of the amplifier 80 is completed and the tubes warm up. The motor 44 starts immediately and continues its operation until the main circuit is again broken by the arm 56.

After the tubes of the amplifier 89 have warmed up, the delay switch 89 closes and the gun can now be aimed and operated so as to project a flash. If the marksman directs the gun correctly, the projected flash impinges upon the photoelectric cell I9 of the particular object which is energized. 'Ihat energization is indicated to the marksman by the illumination of one of the objects. When the marksman pulls the trigger to illuminate the lamp 28, the circuit through the lamp is completed through the solenoid 65. Each time the solenoid 65 is energized, the switch arm 56 moves step by step in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. When ve shots have been red the switch arm 56 moves away from all of the contacts 51 and the main circuit of the apparatus is open and the apparatus cannot be used until a further coin is inserted by the coin slide I3.

If the marksman is successful in his aim, the input circuit of the amplier receives an impulse from the photoelectric cell, which impulse is amplified and is sui'lcient to energize the electromagnet 85, closing the circuits through the solenoid 25 and the solenoid 15. The energization of the solenoid 25 operates the bellows 22, which causes the emission of a sound to indicate a hit. The energization of the solenoid 15 causes the switch arm 10 to move one step in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. Consequently, when the first hit is made, the first lamp 19 becomes illuminated, when the next hit is made the second lamp 19 is illuminated, and so on. After the gun has been iired five times, the game becomes inoperative as hereinbefore described, and the score of the marksman is indicated by the particular lamp 19 which is then illuminated.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an apparatus in which a plurality of targets is energized in succession, the order of succession be- Y ing unknown to the marksman in advance. Furthermore, my apparatus provides for the presentation of new targets in succession for the marksman to aim at. Thus, the marksman is only allowed a certain predetermined period of Vtime in which he must hit a target, thus simulating the conditions of real sport to a considerable extent.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with the specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except in so `far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by' Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a gun game, in combination, a plurality of targets having stationary positions, an incandescent lampI associated with each target, a photoelectric cell associated with each target, an amplifier, means for energizing any one of said lamps. means controlled by the lamp current for connecting the associated cell to the amplifier, said energizing means including switching mechanism, and means continuously and automatically operating said switching means to energize the lamps in sequence.

2. In a gun game, in combination, a plurality of targets having stationary positions, an incandescent lamp associated with each target, a photoelectric cell associated with each target, an amplifier, switching means for energizing any one of said lamps, means controlled by the lamp current for connecting the associated cell to the amplifier, an electric motor for continuously operating said switching means to energize the lamps in sequence, a gun adapted to project ashes toward said targets, coin released mechanism permitting the operation of the gun for a definite number of times and effective to stop the motor, and means operated by the amplifier for indicating the number of hits.

JOHN F. EAKINS. 

